Kim SJ, et al. - Researchers used a rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and CKD with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) using male Sprague Dawley rats with 5/6 nephrectomy to determine the alterations in renal and myocardial GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) expression in CKD with MI/R. They induced myocardial ischemia by ligating left coronary artery, which was then released for 30 minutes 1 week after 5/6 nephrectomy. Once daily for 8 weeks dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors were administered orally with linagliptin. Using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis, renal cortical and myocardial GLP-1R expression were assessed. In CKD, an enhanced DPP-4 activity was evident. Reduction in renal injury and an increase in myocardial GLP-1R expression were noted as the consequences of treatment with linagliptin in CKD with MI/R. Based on the findings, both cardio- and renoprotective effects could be achieved with activation of renal and myocardial GLP-1R expression.